Witholding

Before I became a believer, when I looked to the idol of food for comfort, through gluttony, I sacrificed my health. Now if I look to the idol of food I sacrifice what does not belong to me.

What an abomination to the Lord for me to take what belongs to Him and sacrifice it to an idol!

Perhaps I didn’t give God all of me even though I claimed to. Have I claimed to give everything and withheld part of the price like Ananias and Sapphira?1Ac 5:1-10 NIV Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

These are grievous sins that I have continued to commit.

My Prayer: God, please forgive me for sacrificing what does not belong to me. I want to be like King David who was not willing to sacrifice something that cost him nothing.21Ch 21:22-25 NIV David said to him, “Let me have the site of your threshing-floor so that I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped. Sell it to me at the full price.” Araunah said to David, “Take it! Let my lord the king do whatever pleases him. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing-sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give all this.” But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” So David paid Araunah six hundred shekels of gold for the site.

God, please forgive me for holding back part of the price of following You. I’ve never really followed You wholeheartedly. Please forgive me. I have misrepresented You to a world that desperately needs You. I have pushed many away. Please have mercy on me. I forgive all debts and release all judgments: extending mercy to all who have offended or harmed me. I humble myself and give all to You right now. I willingly choose to sacrifice that which costs me everything. I am Yours body, soul and spirit. I am Your bond servant.

Now the only way for me to worship is with all my heart, all of my mind, all of my soul, and all of my strength – there is no other way!3Mr 12:30 NIV Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. God, please give me the grace to carry out such a glorious calling! Holy Spirit guide me. Amen.